Travelling with medications to Singapore

Bringing in personal medications

You may need to apply for an approval before bringing medications into Singapore for yourself or immediate family members' use, depending on the active ingredients  in the medications.

You should check the classification of the ingredients according to the instructions in the ‘Checking your medication’ section on this page. This will help you determine whether your medications contain prohibited substances or require prior approval.

You may bring up to 3 months’ supply if no approval is needed and the medication is not prohibited. You are required to carry with you a copy of a valid prescription/doctor’s letter from your country of residence. Each medication should be in their original container/packaging and also labelled with the patient name, medication name and quantity by the dispensing pharmacy. Please note that imports of quantities exceeding 3 months’ supply are not allowed.

You are not allowed to import or carry personal medications for another person, except for immediate family members for whom the products were prescribed. Failure to comply will result in your medication being confiscated or enforcement action may be taken.

Checking your medications

You are responsible for checking whether your prescribed medications are prohibited (i.e. not allowed at all) or contain any controlled substances (i.e. requires prior approval) before bringing it into Singapore.

Prohibited medications

Personal imports of the following are not permitted under any circumstances:

• Medications containing prohibited substances which are listed in the Fourth Schedule to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (e.g. cannabis and products containing cannabis extracts)

• Medications in chewing gum form

• Medications classified as Cell, Tissue and Gene Therapy Products (CTGTP) e.g. stem cells

Controlled substances requiring approval

Refer to Appendix A of the Document Guide for bringing in personal medications for the list of controlled substances found in prescribed medications that will require approval. This list encompasses substances from:

• Second Schedule and Third Schedule to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations

• First Schedule to the Health Products (Therapeutic Products) Regulations 2016

• Other medications of concern

Medications not requiring approval

If your medication satisfies all of the following criteria, you may bring up to a 3-month supply into Singapore without prior approval:

• The medication is lawfully prescribed to you (or your immediate family member) in your country of residence

• The medication does not contain controlled substances listed in Appendix A of the Document Guide (see section on ‘Controlled substances requiring approval’)

• The medication does not contain any prohibited substances which are listed in the Fourth Schedule to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations

• The medication is not in chewing gum form

• The medication is not a Cell, Tissue and Gene Therapy Product (CTGTP)

Transit in Singapore (without immigration clearance)

You do not need an approval from us for carrying personal medications if you are only transiting through Singapore without clearing the Singapore immigration (i.e. staying only within the transit zone).

However, please note that prohibited medications are NOT allowed to be brought in, even if you are not clearing immigration. Refer to the ‘Checking your medication’ and ‘Prohibited medications’ sections on this page for further information.

Submitting your application for approval to bring in personal medications

You must apply for approval if you intend to bring personal medications which contain controlled substances. The application form must be completed in English only. Incomplete applications will be rejected and you will need to submit a new application.

Required Supporting Documents

Attach clear images of the following documents in PDF, JPEG or ZIP file formats:

1. Medical Documentation

Provide pharmacy dispensing labels, doctor's prescription, or doctor's letter showing:

• Patient and prescriber name and particulars

• Medication name and composition

• Prescribed dose and frequency

• Total quantities prescribed

2. Product Photography

Include photographs of the medication clearly displaying:

• Product name

• Active ingredient(s)

• Strength/concentration

• Directions for use

• Dosage form (e.g. tablets, liquid)

• Dispensed quantity (e.g. volume)

Processing time

Submit your application at least 2 weeks before your arrival in Singapore to ensure adequate processing time. Applications submitted with less than 2 weeks' notice may not be processed in time.

Change of travel plans

Approvals are specific to your stated arrival date. If your travel plans change after approval, you must submit a new application.

Upon arrival

You do not need to declare approved medications at customs. However, keep your approval email and all supporting documents readily available for inspection if requested by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers.

Alternative options

If your application cannot be processed in time, you may consult a medical practitioner registered with the Singapore Medical Council when you are in Singapore for medical advice and to obtain your medication or suitable substitutes locally. You can view the directory of licensed healthcare service providers on HealthHub or locate General Practitioner (GP) clinics using GPGoWhere.

Requirements from other regulatory agencies

Products to be used on animals may be regulated by the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), while food and drinks are regulated by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). Please check with these agencies if you require further information on these areas.

All goods entering Singapore's borders are also regulated by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Refer to the ICA website for more information on these regulations.